Calendar Girls The Musical At The Royal And Derngate Theatre, Northampton Review

Reviewed by Amanda Dando

The Royal & Derngate sits in the heart of Northampton, a lovely Theatre that I enjoy attending. We had our tickets scanned on arrival and the box office was super helpful and efficient in locating our program. It was a cold rainy night and everyone was anxious to get to their seats to see Calendar Girls The Musical performed by none other than Northampton Musical Theatre Company.

Calendar Girls is the hit musical more recently written by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth. The musical a follow up to the hit film of the same name starring some very big stars all based on the true story following on from the death of a much loved husband. His wife and her friends are members of the Yorkshire Women’s Institute and come up with an inventive way to raise much needed funds for the local hospital.

I will confess, when I was told this was an amateur production of the show, I thought oh my lord, ok, let’s check this out. CONGRATULATIONS YOU WERE ALL BL**DY (editor’s note – letters of word removed) AMAZING. I don’t think I have been so moved by a cast singing together ever at a stage show. What an incredible evening I have just spent. Numerous times throughout the whole show the hairs went up on the back of my neck such was the stunning quality of the singing. Oh my, you as a whole cast were just fantastic.

Lisa Simpson as Chris and Hannah Taylor as Annie, shined as the best friends, the love and warmth radiated from them, surely friends off stage to? All the central characters were amazing and had such a presence on stage, although special mention to Hannah Hauser as Cora and Zoe Mould as Jenny. To be honest it’s unfair to single anyone out such was the quality on stage this evening. It’s a bit saucy in places, a bit fruity with the language it was just the most delightful adaptation of the story I have yet to see. The story is very much how a community can come together to heal each other, not just over bereavement but all sorts of life battles, which everyone of us face day in and day out of our lives. You couldn’t help but put yourself in the story and reflect on how you can make a difference to those in your world who may be fighting battles hidden by every day clothing.

I can’t describe all of the emotions I went through tonight, they saved the best to last and I found the courage displayed by these lovely ladies to be essentially naked up there on stage for us all to see uplifting in the most magical way. Liberating even though it wasn’t me, I could relate. I haven’t seen a show this good for a very long time. Even though the subject matter was tough going at times, especially for those of us affected by cancer. But I promise you if you go and see the show you won’t fail to be transported by the energy the love and amazing heartfelt words spoken or sung. The show is on until Saturday 5th November, go grab yourselves some tickets you really won’t be disappointed.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £16.00

Calendar Girls is at the Royal & Derngate 19-21 Guildhall Road Northampton NN1 1DP
2-5 November 2022 for more information or to book tickets www.royalandDerngate.co.uk or call the box office on 01604 624811